Piper PA-28-140 N98321

Summary

On 17 February 1994 at about 14:30 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N98321, operated by Hammonds, John A., was involved in an accident near Stockbridge, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 February 1994 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Stockbridge, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Berry Hill (4A0)

Coordinates

33.5405, -84.2404

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N98321

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Hammonds, John A.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL94LA049

2 people had minor injuries.

THE PARTIAL BLOCKAGE OF THE INDUCTION AIR FILTER BECAUSE OF WATER SOAKING, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND THE FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO PROPERLY WASH THE AIRCRAFT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO 'MISS' AND LOSE POWER. AN APPLICATION OF CARB HEAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE THEN DEVELOPED MORE POWER BEFORE LOSING POWER AGAIN. THE PILOT MANEUVERED TO AVOID TREES, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS FORCE LANDED IN A FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, AND WAS STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE PAPER AIR FILTER ELEMENT SHOWED EVIDENCE OF WATER SOAKING. THE PILOT AND AIRCRAFT OWNER REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN WASHED WITH WATER JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.